Jones appears unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Las Vegas after sitting out practice Thursday for an undisclosed reason, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Jones has looked sharp in training camp so this just may be rest for a veteran. However, check to make sure he hasn't been sidelined due to an injury. Jones is expected to start at running back and be a focal point of the offense, with the only question being how many touches he'll share with backup Ty Chandler to keep him fresh.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Aaron Jones news
Team
Minnesota Vikings
Birthdate
12/2/1994 (29)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'9", 208 lbs
Draft Info
2017: Rd 5; Pk (GB)
Birthplace
El Paso, TX, USA
Position
RB
College
UTEP
Experience
8 seasons
Career History
Green Bay Packers
2017-2024
(7 seasons)
Jones appears unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Las Vegas after sitting out practice Thursday for an undisclosed reason, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Jones has looked sharp in training camp so this just may be rest for a veteran. However, check to make sure he hasn't been sidelined due to an injury. Jones is expected to start at running back and be a focal point of the offense, with the only question being how many touches he'll share with backup Ty Chandler to keep him fresh.
Jones is slated to sign a one-year deal with the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Per Schefter, Jones' deal with Minnesota is worth $7 million. The move comes just one day after the 29-year-old was released by Green Bay after turning down a pay cut, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. With the Vikings, Jones will have a chance to lead a backfield that also includes Ty Chandler, with Alexander Mattison having recently been released by the team.
The Packers released Jones on Monday after reaching agreement with RB Josh Jacobs on a contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said in February that he expected Jones to be back with the team in 2024 for the final year of his contract. The 29-year-old RB enjoyed one of the best stretches of his career at the end of the 2023 season and into the playoffs, but his $12 million in non-guaranteed compensation for 2024 meant staying with the Packers was never a sure thing. The team ended up releasing Jones less than an hour after reports of an agreement being reached with Jacobs, who now takes over as the lead back in coach Matt LaFleur's well-designed offense. Age and durability are reasonable concerns with Jones, but the strong finish to 2023 should have him in good position to land a starting RB job with another team.
Jones thus will miss his second game in a row due to the MCL sprain that he sustained Week 11 against the Chargers. He hasn't practiced since then, but he'll be afforded an extra day of rest before the Packers reconvene for on-field work next Thursday ahead of a road matchup with the Giants on Monday Night Football on Dec. 11. In the meantime, AJ Dillon will continue to man Green Bay's backfield, with Patrick Taylor serving as his primary reserve.
A third straight absence from practice suggests Jones likely will miss his second game in a row. AJ Dillon (groin) dominated carries in last week's win over the Lions, though third-stringer Patrick Taylor ended up playing nearly as many snaps (48 percent) and should be involved in the offense again Sunday night against the Chiefs.
While fellow running back AJ Dillon (groin) returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday, Jones remains sidelined due to the MCL sprain that he sustained Week 11 against the Chargers. Jones' absence from the Packers' Thanksgiving visit to the Lions thus wasn't surprising on a short week, but his inability to log any on-field work one week later implies a multi-game absence may be in store. Friday's injury report could be telling for Jones' status ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chiefs.
AJ Dillon (groin) was also sidelined for Wednesday's practice after he filled in for Jones as the Packers' lead back in a 29-22 win over the Lions last week. Given that he's just a week and a half removed from suffering an MCL sprain, Jones could be in store for another absence this Sunday against the Chiefs. Should both Jones and Dillon sit out versus Kansas City, the Packers would be left with Patrick Taylor as their top running back.
One day removed from coach Matt LaFleur telling Ryan Wood of USA Today that Jones was "highly unlikely" to play Week 12, the running back indeed won't be available Thursday due to the sprained MCL that he suffered this past Sunday against the Chargers. After Emanuel Wilson (shoulder) was placed on IR on Wednesday, the Packers are left with AJ Dillon as their potential lead runner, but he's listed as questionable due to a groin issue. If Dillon isn't able to go, either, the team's backfield will be down to Patrick Taylor and James Robinson.
Per Demovsky, LaFleur relayed that Jones -- who was limited to four carries and one catch Sunday -- was in good spirits following the contest, but the running back's status will nonetheless need to be monitored closely as Thursday's game against the Lions approaches. If Jones ends up sidelined in Week 12, AJ Dillon would be in line for an expanded workload.